Split door submersible network protector housings for electrical distribution systems

ABSTRACT

A split door submersible housing for an electrical distribution system includes a cabinet body defining an interior region configured to accept a component of the electrical distribution system, and a first door and a second door positioned side by side to cover an open front portion of the cabinet body. The cabinet body includes at least one opening configured to accept an electrode sealed with and electrically isolated from the cabinet body and extending through the cabinet body to establish electrical connection between a corresponding terminal of the component and an electrical distribution network. A gasket system is provided, which comprises a first gasket configured to fit on the first door and a second gasket configured to fit on the second door. The gasket system seals the first door and the second door against each other and against a corresponding surface on the cabinet body, when the first and second doors are closed and locked, so that the housing is water tight.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/813,797, filed Nov. 17, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,004,155, whichclaims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/452,752, filedJan. 31, 2017, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/462,710, filedFeb. 23, 2017, the contents of each of which are incorporated byreference herein in their entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR A JOINTINVENTOR UNDER 37 C.F.R. 1.77(b)(6)

A prior enclosure for a network protector in an electrical distributionsystem was disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 14/667,050, filed Mar.24, 2015, which was published as U.S. Publication No. US 2015/0282363 onOct. 1, 2015, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,379,526 on Jun. 28, 2016.Bruce Bier, the sole inventor of the subject matter disclosed andclaimed in the present application, also invented the subject matterdisclosed and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,379,526. Mantas Jarasunas andJoseph Bier were working under Bruce Bier's direction and were notinvolved in the conception of the subject matter disclosed and claimedin U.S. Pat. No. 9,379,526.

BACKGROUND

A network protector is a heavy duty switch designed to open and closeunder specific conditions within an electrical distribution system.These conditions are defined by industry standards. The operatingvoltage for a network protector is generally up to 600 Volts and isconnected to the secondary (low voltage) side of a distributiontransformer.

The overwhelming majority of network protectors are installed inunderground (sub-surface) structures. A typical underground structurehas interior dimensions of about eight feet (96 inches) by about tenfeet (120 inches). In most cases, the network protectors are installedin sealed metal enclosures designed to be submerged. As such, theseenclosures are referred to as “submersible network protector housings.”

SUMMARY

The present invention generally relates to electrical distributionsystems. In particular, the present invention relates to an enclosurefor use within an electrical distribution system. The enclosure isconfigured to contain a component of the electrical distribution system,such as a network protector, and to prevent ingress of water into theenclosure.

In preferred embodiments, the invention provides split door submersiblenetwork protector housings comprising a cabinet body with a split doorconfiguration covering a front portion thereof. A gasket system isprovided, which comprises a first gasket configured to fit on the firstdoor and a second gasket configured to fit on the second door. Thegasket system seals the first door and the second door against eachother and against a corresponding surface on the cabinet body, when thefirst and second doors are closed and locked, so that the housing iswater tight.

In some embodiments, the invention provides split door submersiblehousing for an electrical distribution system, the housing comprising: acabinet body defining an interior region configured to accept acomponent of the electrical distribution system, the cabinet bodyincluding at least one opening configured to accept an electrode sealedwith and electrically isolated from the cabinet body and extendingthrough the cabinet body to establish electrical connection between acorresponding terminal of the component and an electrical distributionnetwork; a first door and a second door positioned side by side to coveran open front portion of the cabinet body, at least one of the firstdoor and the second door pivotably and electrically connected to a sideof the cabinet body; and a gasket system comprising a first gasket onthe first door and a second gasket on the second door, wherein thegasket system is configured to seal the first door and the second dooragainst each other and against a corresponding surface on the cabinetbody, when the first and second doors are in a closed position, whereinwhen the first and second doors are in the closed position, the housingis capable of preventing ingress of water into the interior region whensubmersed.

In some embodiments, the housing further comprises a locking mechanismto lock the first and second doors in the closed position.

In some embodiments, the locking mechanism comprises a plurality ofquick-release latching mechanisms disposed between the first door andthe cabinet body and disposed between the second door and the cabinetbody.

In some embodiments, the locking mechanism comprises at least onequick-release latching mechanism disposed between the first door and thesecond door.

In some embodiments, an exterior surface of the cabinet body comprises aplurality of radiating fins.

In some embodiments, an interior surface of the cabinet body comprises aplurality of fins thermally coupled to the radiating fins.

In some embodiments, the component is a network protector.

In some embodiments, the cabinet body includes at least three openingsconfigured to accept at least three electrodes sealed with andelectrically isolated from both the cabinet body and each other andextending through the cabinet body to establish electrical connectionsbetween corresponding terminals of the network protector and theelectrical distribution network.

In some embodiments, when the first and second doors are in the closedposition, the housing is capable of preventing ingress of water into theinterior region at a water depth of twenty-five feet.

In some embodiments, the first door and the second door are pivotablyand electrically connected to opposite sides of the cabinet body.

In some embodiments, the first door is pivotably and electricallyconnected to a side of the cabinet body and the second door is pivotablyand electrically connected to the first door.

In some embodiments, the first gasket and the second gasket are madefrom a nitrile rubber.

In some embodiments, the first gasket and the second gasket includeraised ridges on the portions that seal against the cabinet body.

In some embodiments, the first gasket and the second gasket extendaround the perimeter of the first and second doors and have conformalshapes on their distal edge surfaces.

In some embodiments, the first gasket and the second gasket extendaround the perimeter of the first and second doors and havesubstantially flat distal edge surfaces.

In some embodiments, the first gasket and the second gasket extendaround the perimeter of the first and second doors and have roundeddistal edge surfaces with extended upper and lower ends havingsubstantially flat surfaces.

In some embodiments, the first gasket extends around the perimeter ofthe first door and has a substantially flat distal edge surface, and thesecond gasket is a three-sided gasket extending around the top, proximalside, and bottom of the second door and having indented upper and lowerdistal edges having substantially flat surfaces.

In some embodiments, the first gasket extends around the perimeter ofthe first door and has a rounded distal edge surface with extended upperand lower ends having substantially flat surfaces, and the second gasketis a three-sided gasket extending around the top, proximal side, andbottom of the second door and having indented upper and lower distaledges having substantially flat surfaces.

In some embodiments, a top exterior surface of the cabinet bodycomprises a plurality of steel stiffeners.

In some embodiments, exterior and/or interior surfaces of the first andsecond doors comprise a plurality of steel stiffeners.

In some embodiments, the first door includes a tab to guide the firstdoor and the second door together into the closed position.

In some embodiments, when the first and second doors with the first andsecond gaskets positioned thereon are in the closed position, thehousing is capable of preventing ingress of water into the interiorregion at a water depth of twenty-five feet.

In some embodiments, the invention provides a gasket system configuredfor use with a split door submersible housing for an electricaldistribution system, the housing comprising a cabinet body defining aninterior region configured to accept a component of the electricaldistribution system, and a first door and a second door positioned sideby side to cover an open front portion of the cabinet body, the gasketsystem comprising: a first gasket configured to fit on the first door;and a second gasket configured to fit on the second door, wherein thegasket system is configured to seal the first door and the second dooragainst each other and against a corresponding surface on the cabinetbody, when the first and second doors are in a closed position, andwherein when the first and second doors with the first and secondgaskets positioned thereon are in the closed position, the housing iscapable of preventing ingress of water into the interior region whensubmersed.

In some embodiments, the first gasket and the second gasket are madefrom a nitrile rubber.

In some embodiments, the first gasket and the second gasket includeraised ridges on the portions that seal against the cabinet body.

In some embodiments, the first gasket and the second gasket extendaround the perimeter of the first and second doors and have conformalshapes on their distal edge surfaces.

In some embodiments, the first gasket and the second gasket extendaround the perimeter of the first and second doors and havesubstantially flat distal edge surfaces.

In some embodiments, the first gasket and the second gasket extendaround the perimeter of the first and second doors and have roundeddistal edge surfaces with extended upper and lower ends havingsubstantially flat surfaces.

In some embodiments, the first gasket extends around the perimeter ofthe first door and has a substantially flat distal edge surface, and thesecond gasket is a three-sided gasket extending around the top, proximalside, and bottom of the second door and having indented upper and lowerdistal edges having substantially flat surfaces.

In some embodiments, the first gasket extends around the perimeter ofthe first door and has a rounded distal edge surface with extended upperand lower ends having substantially flat surfaces, and the second gasketis a three-sided gasket extending around the top, proximal side, andbottom of the second door and having indented upper and lower distaledges having substantially flat surfaces.

Additional features and advantages of the present invention aredescribed further below. This summary section is meant merely toillustrate certain features of the invention, and is not meant to limitthe scope of the invention in any way. The failure to discuss a specificfeature or embodiment of the invention, or the inclusion of one or morefeatures in this summary section, should not be construed to limit theinvention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofthe preferred embodiments of the application, will be better understoodwhen read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purposes ofillustrating the systems and methods of the present application, thereare shown in the drawings preferred embodiments. It should beunderstood, however, that the application is not limited to the precisearrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is perspective view of a first exemplary split door submersiblehousing with the doors closed, according to some embodiments of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is perspective view of the housing of FIG. 1 with the doors open,according to some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of the housing of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view along A-A of FIG. 3 showing a firstembodiment gasket system for the housing of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a detail view of area C of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the insides of the first and seconddoors with the first embodiment gasket system installed thereon, showingthe doors open and detached from the cabinet body;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the first embodiment gasket system,without the doors;

FIG. 8 is a detailed perspective view of the first embodiment gasketsystem with and without the first door, showing the upper corner distalfrom the hinge;

FIG. 9 is a detailed perspective view of the first embodiment gasketsystem with and without the second door, showing the upper corner distalfrom the hinge;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view along A-A of FIG. 3 showing a secondembodiment gasket system for the housing of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a detail view of area C of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the insides of the first and seconddoors with the second embodiment gasket system installed thereon,showing the doors open and detached from the cabinet body;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the second embodiment gasket system,without the doors;

FIG. 14 is a detailed perspective view of the second embodiment gasketsystem with and without the first door, showing the upper corner distalfrom the hinge;

FIG. 15 is a detailed perspective view of the second embodiment gasketsystem with and without the second door, showing the upper corner distalfrom the hinge;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view along A-A of FIG. 3 showing a thirdembodiment gasket system for the housing of FIG. 1;

FIG. 17 is a detail view of area C of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the insides of the first and seconddoors with the third embodiment gasket system installed thereon, showingthe doors open and detached from the cabinet body;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the third embodiment gasket system,without the doors;

FIG. 20 is a detailed perspective view of the third embodiment gasketsystem with and without the first door, showing the upper corner distalfrom the hinge;

FIG. 21 is a detailed perspective view of the third embodiment gasketsystem with and without the second door, showing the upper corner distalfrom the hinge;

FIG. 22 is a sectional view along A-A of FIG. 3 showing a fourthembodiment gasket system for the housing of FIG. 1;

FIG. 23 is a detail view of area C of FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the insides of the first and seconddoors with the fourth embodiment gasket system installed thereon,showing the doors open and detached from the cabinet body;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the fourth embodiment gasket system,without the doors;

FIG. 26 is a detailed perspective view of the fourth embodiment gasketsystem with and without the first door, showing the upper corner distalfrom the hinge;

FIG. 27 is a detailed perspective view of the fourth embodiment gasketsystem with and without the second door, showing the upper corner distalfrom the hinge;

FIG. 28 is a sectional view along A-A of FIG. 3 showing a fifthembodiment gasket system for the housing of FIG. 1;

FIG. 29 is a detail view of area C of FIG. 28;

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the insides of the first and seconddoors with the fifth embodiment gasket system installed thereon, showingthe doors open and detached from the cabinet body;

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the fifth embodiment gasket system,without the doors;

FIG. 32 is a detailed perspective view of the fifth embodiment gasketsystem with and without the first door, showing the upper corner distalfrom the hinge;

FIG. 33 is a detailed perspective view of the fifth embodiment gasketsystem with and without the second door, showing the upper corner distalfrom the hinge;

FIGS. 34 to 39 are perspective views of a second exemplary split doorsubmersible housing, having a different mechanism for opening the splitdoors as compared to the housing of FIG. 1, showing the split doorsmoving from a closed to an open position;

FIGS. 40 to 45 are top views of the housing of FIG. 34 corresponding toFIGS. 34 to 39, respectively, showing the split doors moving from theclosed to the open position;

FIGS. 46 to 49 are detailed top views of the housing of FIG. 34, showingthe second door moving from the closed position to a partially-openposition as shown in FIGS. 35 and 41.

FIG. 50 is a sectional view showing a sixth embodiment gasket system forthe housing of FIG. 34;

FIG. 51 is a detail view of area B of FIG. 50;

FIG. 52 is a perspective view of the insides of the first and seconddoors with the sixth embodiment gasket system installed thereon, showingthe doors open and detached from the cabinet body;

FIG. 53 is a perspective view of the sixth embodiment gasket system,without the doors;

FIG. 54 is a detailed perspective view of the sixth embodiment gasketsystem with and without the first door, showing the upper corner distalfrom the hinge;

FIG. 55 is a detailed perspective view of the sixth embodiment gasketsystem with and without the second door, showing the upper corner distalfrom the hinge;

FIG. 56 shows plain views of the insides of the first and second doorswith the first embodiment gasket system installed thereon, with thedoors detached from the cabinet body and the hinges, and correspondingsectional views below, taken along the broken lines marked CL;

FIG. 57 shows sectional views along A-A through F-F of FIG. 56;

FIG. 58 is front view of the housing of FIG. 1, according to someembodiments of the invention; and

FIG. 59 is a side view of the housing of FIG. 1, according to someembodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In certain cases, there are underground structures that are too small orconfined to allow for safe installation and operation of submersiblenetwork protector housings, which are normally larger thannon-submersible housings. In these cases, non-submersible housings havebeen used. Typically, the underground structures that house thenon-submersible network protector housings are equipped with sump pumpsto prevent flooding.

However, the sump pumps are subject to malfunction due to a number ofreasons. During extreme flooding conditions, particularly tidal floodingconditions, much equipment is subject to destruction. This occurredduring Hurricane Sandy in New York City, for example.

A prior enclosure for an electrical distribution system was disclosed inU.S. application Ser. No. 14/667,050, filed Mar. 24, 2015 and assignedto Richards Manufacturing Company, a New Jersey Limited Partnership,which was published as U.S. Publication No. US 2015/0282363 on Oct. 1,2015, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,379,526 on Jun. 28, 2016, thecontents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

Improved submersible housings for network protectors and/or othercomponents of electrical distribution systems are needed in the art.

A first exemplary split door submersible housing 100 for an electricaldistribution system is depicted in FIGS. 1-2 and 58-59. Housing 100comprises a cabinet body 140, a first door 110, and a second door 120.First door 110 and second door 120 are coupled by way of respectivehinges 131, 132 on opposing sides of cabinet body 140. Hinges 131, 132pivotably and electrically connect first door 110 and second door 120,respectively, to opposite sides of cabinet body 140. Cabinet body 140comprises a top wall 105, a bottom wall 106, a left side wall 107, aright side wall 108, and a rear wall 109. Cabinet body 140, with doors110, 120, defines an interior region 101 of housing 100, which is sizedto accept a component of the electrical distribution system, such as,but not limited to, a network protector. In contrast to existing singledoor enclosures, the split door configuration of housing 100 providesincreased clearance between the distal edge surfaces of doors 110, 120and the front wall of the underground structure when doors 110, 120 areopened 90° (e.g., over 19 inches for split doors versus about threeinches for a single door). This additional space can greatly facilitateaccess to interior region 101 of housing 100, and thus to the networkprotector or other component of the electrical distribution system.

Housing 100 is made of metal, preferably steel, and is configured towithstand submersion in water (e.g., a water depth of 15 feet, or awater depth of 25 feet, as measured from the bottom of housing 100) foran extended period of time (e.g., one week) without water entering intothe interior region 101 of housing 100. By way of example, housing 100can be made from ¼ inch thick steel, and can include a pressure valve104 used to pressurize the interior region 101, preferably with an inertgas, such as nitrogen, so as to further prevent the ingress of water.The interior and/or exterior surfaces of doors 110, 120 can includesteel stiffeners 113 to ensure that doors 110, 120 do not bow wheninterior 101 of housing 100 is pressurized. Steel stiffeners 113 canalso function as radiating fins for cooling the housing 100, and can be,for example, welded to, riveted to, or integrally formed with doors 110,120. A tab 150 may be provided, for example, with portions on the insideand outside of one of the doors, to guide the doors together. In otherembodiments, instead of tab 150, a protective strip, preferably made ofsteel, may be disposed on the outside of one of the doors along theentire distal edge. A window may be provided via a cutout 170 in firstdoor 110 to provide a view into housing 100 when doors 110, 120 areclosed. A transparent material 172, such as polycarbonate, is positionedover cutout 170 on the inside surface of the door and held in place by aframe 174, which can be made of steel, and can be fastened to the doorby any suitable means (welding, riveting, etc.) to form a water-tightseal. In other embodiments, the window may be located elsewhere (e.g.,on second door 120 or on cabinet body 140) and/or multiple windows maybe provided on either/both doors. Two or more rails 180 may be provided,for example, on opposite sides of the interior region 101 of the housing100 for the network protector to sit on. Extension rails 182 may beprovided on rails 180 to bring the network protector out for testing andrepairs. A throat plate 190 may be provided on the back of the cabinetbody 140 to cover the opening where the network protector bolts onto lowvoltage throat of the transformer and connects electrically.

Cabinet body 140 is preferably grounded, and includes, for example,three electrode openings 141 on a top surface, which are used torespectively electrically connect to corresponding electrodes on thenetwork protector. Each electrode opening 141 accepts a terminal orbushing 143 that is electrically isolated from cabinet body 140 andextends through cabinet body 140 to connect to the low voltage side ofthe electrical distribution network. Each terminal or bushing 143 formsa seal within its respective opening 141 that prevents the ingress ofwater into interior 101. By way of example, the electrode or terminal143 may be electrically isolated from the cabinet body 140 by aninsulating material, such as polyester, fiberglass, porcelain, epoxy,etc. The insulating material can be sealed against the cabinet body 140using a flat or O-ring type gasket to prevent water ingress. Otherexamples include an electrode or terminal 143 that is partiallyencapsulated in a polymeric (e.g., rubber) material that electricallyisolates the electrode and forms a seal against the cabinet body 140 toprevent water entry. FIGS. 58 and 59 show, for example, threeeight-position plug in terminals 143 for connection to cables going tothe customer. In various embodiments, different terminal types can beprovided, such as, but not limited to, flat spade, threaded stud, plugin, etc. In some embodiments, a plug in type terminal is preferred. Anoperations handle 144 may be provided on an exterior side surface of thecabinet body 140 for operating the network protector (e.g., locking theprotector in an open, automatic, or closed position). A bracket 145 maybe provided on the back of the cabinet body 140 to connect housing 100to the transformer and provide additional physical support. One or more“feet” 146 may be provided on the bottom of the cabinet body 140 forbolting housing 100 to the transformer and for additional physicalsupport.

The exterior side surfaces of cabinet body 140 can include radiating(cooling) fins 102 to radiate heat that the network protector generateswithin interior region 101 into the underground structure. The interiorside surfaces of cabinet body 140 may also include fins 103, whichcollect heat generated within interior region 101 and conduct this heatto radiating fins 102 on the exterior side surfaces of cabinet body 140.The fins 102, 103 can be, for example, welded to, riveted to, orintegrally formed with cabinet body 140. In some embodiments, fins 102,103 may have an elongated channel shape with a squared “U”cross-section, and may be attached to cabinet body 140, for example, byspot welds along the center of the channel (see FIG. 59). In otherembodiments, fins 102, 103 may be single fins in the form of a solidbar, analogous to steel stiffeners 113, which may be welded to cabinetbody 140. The fins 102, 103 and the steel stiffeners 113 each providedual functions of cooling and stiffening.

One or more locking mechanisms 160 are provided on doors 110, 120 andcabinet body 140 to lock and clamp doors 110, 120 into the closedposition on the cabinet body 140, thereby providing a water-tightsealing of interior 101. Locking mechanisms 160 may be provided to lockdoors 110, 120 to each other and/or to cabinet body 140. The lockingmechanisms 160 pull doors 110, 120 towards a jamb surface 142 on thefront of cabinet body 140, and also pull the distal edge surfaces ofdoors 110, 120 towards each other. In some embodiments, each lockingmechanism is a quick-release latching mechanism including a hook 162disposed on a first surface, such as the exterior surface of cabinetbody 140, and a handle 164 pivotably connected to a second surface, suchas a door 110, 120. A loop 166 is pivotably connected near pivot point169 of handle 164 and engages with hook 162. The mechanical advantageprovided by handle 164 acting as a lever pulling on loop 166 draws thefirst surface towards the second surface, such as door 110, 120 to jambsurface 142, or first door 110 to second door 120. When in the lockedposition, the changed position of handle 164 causes pivot point 161 ofloop 166 to correspondingly change to a position with respect to pivotpoint 169 and end of handle 164 that causes tension on loop 166 togenerate a torque on handle 164 that urges handle 164 into the lockedposition, or which aligns the pivot points 169, 161 with loop 166 sothat handle 164 is at least not urged out of the locked position.

Doors 110, 120 seal against each other as well as against acorresponding surface on the cabinet body, when they are locked in theclosed position. Doors 110, 120 sealingly engage jamb surface 142, whichdefines the opening for access to cabinet body 140, when doors 110, 120are swung shut on hinges 131, 132 to provide a water-tight seal betweenthe doors 110, 120 and the cabinet body 140. Doors 110, 120 alsosealingly engage with each other along their distal edge surfaces(surfaces most distal from hinges 131, 132, where doors 110, 120 meet)to provide a water-tight seal therebetween. A gasket system seals doors110, 120 against each other and against the cabinet body 140. The gasketsystem comprises a first gasket on the first door and a second gasket onthe second door. Each gasket is held in place on the respective door,for example, by press-fitting the gasket between an outer rim 115 and aninner rim 117 running in parallel (e.g., about 1¼ inches apart; see FIG.56) along the top, proximal (hinged) side, and bottom edges of the door.A lip 119 may be provided along the inner distal side of either or bothdoors to hold a distal side portion of the gasket system in place (ifpresent). The gasket system can be made from an elastomeric rubbermaterial, such as, but not limited to, a nitrile material with some oilresistance such as acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber, or other materialknown in the art to be suitable for forming a water-tight seal.Preferably, the gaskets are each one piece continuous gaskets, eitherfour-sided gaskets configured to extend around the perimeter of therespective door, or three-sided gaskets, configured to extend around thetop, proximal, and bottom sides of the door. In certain preferredembodiments, the one piece continuous gaskets may be molded and may havesolid, substantially square cross-sections (see, e.g., FIG. 57). Inother embodiments, the one piece continuous gaskets may be producedusing another method, such as extrusion, and/or may have a differentcross-section profile such as, but not limited to, solid round or hollowround (with different outer and inner diameters). As used herein, “onepiece continuous” means forming a continuous whole. A one piececontinuous gasket according to the present invention can be cut one ormore times, or otherwise comprise separate parts (or loose ends, in thecase of a four-sided gasket), but is considered to be a one piececontinuous gasket when the parts or ends are secured together (e.g., bypress fit, adhesive, bonding, physical spacer, connector, etc.) to forma four-sided or three-sided gasket as shown and described.

As shown in FIGS. 4-9, a first embodiment gasket system comprises afirst gasket 210 on the first door and a second gasket 220 on the seconddoor. Gaskets 210, 220 are one piece continuous gaskets extending aroundthe inside perimeters of doors 110, 120. Raised ridges 212, 222 or othertextured surface may be provided on the portions of gaskets 210, 220that interface with jamb surface 142, to facilitate or enhance thesealing engagement between doors 110, 120 and cabinet body 140. Thedistal edge surfaces of gaskets 210, 220 have conformal shapes tosealingly mate with each other when doors 110, 220 are in a closedposition. For example, first gasket 210 may have a rounded depression214 along its distal edge surface that is complementary with a roundedprotrusion 224 on second gasket 220. In alternate embodiments, thesepositions may be reversed (protrusion on first gasket, depression onsecond gasket) and/or complementary indentions/protrusions of othershapes and/or numbers may be used.

As shown in FIGS. 10-15, a second embodiment gasket system comprises afirst gasket 310 on the first door and a second gasket 320 on the seconddoor. Gaskets 310, 320 are one piece continuous gaskets extending aroundthe inside perimeters of doors 110, 120. Raised ridges 312, 322 or othertextured surface may be provided on the portions of gaskets 310, 320that interface with jamb surface 142, to facilitate or enhance thesealing engagement between doors 110, 120 and cabinet body 140. Gaskets310, 320 have substantially flat distal edge surfaces 314, 324, whichare nearly flush with the door edge, extending only slightly therefrom.

As shown in FIGS. 16-21, a third embodiment gasket system comprises afirst gasket 410 on the first door and a second gasket 420 on the seconddoor. Gaskets 410, 420 are one piece continuous gaskets extending aroundthe inside perimeters of doors 110, 120. Raised ridges 412, 422 or othertextured surface may be provided on the portions of gaskets 410, 420that interface with jamb surface 142, to facilitate or enhance thesealing engagement between doors 110, 120 and cabinet body 140. Gaskets410, 420 have convex rounded distal edge surfaces 414, 424, with upperand lower ends having substantially flat surfaces 416, 416 extendingbeyond the distal edges of doors 110, 120 as indicated at 418, 428.

As shown in FIGS. 22-27, a fourth embodiment gasket system comprises afirst gasket 510 on the first door and a second gasket 520 on the seconddoor. Gaskets 510, 520 are one piece continuous gaskets. First gasket510 extends around the inside perimeter of first door 110. Second gasket520 extends around the top, proximal side, and bottom edges of door 120,but not along the distal edge. Raised ridges 512, 522 or other texturedsurface may be provided on the portions of gaskets 510, 520 thatinterface with jamb surface 142, to facilitate or enhance the sealingengagement between doors 110, 120 and cabinet body 140. Gasket 510 has asubstantially flat distal edge surface 514, which extends beyond thedistal edge of door 110 as indicated at 518. Gasket 520 hassubstantially flat upper and lower distal edges 526, which are recessedfrom door 120 as indicated at 528 (except for the portion thatinterfaces with jamb surface 142) to accommodate a substantially flatmetal distal edge surface 121 of door 120. In an alternate embodiment,these configurations may be reversed (three-sided gasket 520 and surface121 on first door, gasket 510 on second door).

As shown in FIGS. 28-33, a fifth embodiment gasket system comprises afirst gasket 610 on the first door and a second gasket 620 on the seconddoor. Gaskets 610, 620 are one piece continuous gaskets. First gasket610 extends around the inside perimeter of first door 110. Second gasket620 extends around the top, proximal side, and bottom edges of door 120,but not along the distal edge. Raised ridges 612, 622 or other texturedsurface may be provided on the portions of gaskets 610, 620 thatinterface with jamb surface 142, to facilitate or enhance the sealingengagement between doors 110, 120 and cabinet body 140. Gasket 610, likegasket 410, has convex rounded distal edge surface 614, with upper andlower ends having a substantially flat surface 616 extending beyond thedistal edge of door 110 as indicated at 618. Gasket 620, like gasket520, has substantially flat upper and lower distal edges 626, which arerecessed from door 120 as indicated at 628 (except for the portion thatinterfaces with jamb surface 142) to accommodate a substantially flatmetal distal edge surface 121 of door 120. In an alternate embodiment,these configurations may be reversed (three-sided gasket 620 and surface121 on first door, gasket 610 on second door).

The gasket systems shown in FIGS. 4-33 and described above are merelyexemplary; in other embodiments, the first and second gaskets may beadapted for use with split door submersible housings other than housing100, and/or may comprise variations in the textures, mating features,dimensions, etc. of the surfaces between the gaskets, between a gasketand the opposite door, and/or between the gaskets and the cabinet bodythat can also facilitate sealing doors 110, 120 against each other andagainst the cabinet body 140 in a water-tight manner, without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the present invention.

A second exemplary split door submersible housing 1000, substantiallysimilar to housing 100 but with a different mechanism for opening thesplit doors, is depicted in FIGS. 34-39, which show the split doorsmoving from a closed to an open position. As in housing 100, first door1110 is coupled by way of hinges 1131 to cabinet body 1140. However, inhousing 1000, second door 1120 is coupled to first door 1110 by way ofhinges 1133. Hinges 1133 pivotably and electrically connect first door1110 to second door 1120, and hinges 1131 pivotably and electricallyconnect first door 1110 to cabinet body 1140. Cabinet body 1140comprises a top wall 1105, a bottom wall 1106, a left side wall 1107, aright side wall 1108, and a rear wall 1109. Cabinet body 1140, withdoors 1110, 1120, defines an interior region 1101 of housing 1000, whichis sized to accept a component of the electrical distribution system,such as, but not limited to, a network protector. Locking mechanisms1160 (with hook 1162, loop 1166, handle 1164, and pivot points 1161,1169) like locking mechanisms 160 described above for housing 100 areprovided on doors 1110, 1120 and cabinet body 1140 to lock and clampdoors 1110, 1120 into the closed position on the cabinet body 1140. Insome embodiments, no locking mechanisms are provided between doors 1110,1120. In various embodiments, housing 1000 may include one or more ofthe following features described above for housing 100 (not shown):cooling fins 102 and/or 103 (e.g., on the sides of the outside and/orinside of the cabinet body), pressure valve 104, steel stiffeners 113(e.g., on the insides and/or outsides of the doors and/or the top of theoutside of the cabinet body), tab 150, one or more sets of windowelements 170, 172, 174, and/or one or more sets of rails 180, 182.

FIGS. 40-45 are top views corresponding to FIGS. 34-39, showing thesplit doors moving from the closed to the open position. FIGS. 46-49 aredetailed top views of the housing of FIG. 34, showing the second doormoving from the closed position to a partially-open position as shown inFIGS. 35 and 41.

Doors 1110, 1120 seal against each other as well as against acorresponding surface on the cabinet body, when they are locked in theclosed position. Doors 1110, 1120 sealingly engage jamb surface 1142,which defines the opening for access to cabinet body 1140, when doors1110, 1120 are swung shut on hinges 1131, 1133 to provide a water-tightseal between the doors 1110, 1120 and the cabinet body 1140. Doors 1110,1120 also sealingly engage with each other along their distal edgesurfaces (where doors 1110, 1120 meet) to provide a water-tight sealtherebetween. A gasket system seals doors 1110, 1120 against each otherand against the cabinet body 1140. The gasket system comprises a firstgasket on the first door and a second gasket on the second door. Eachgasket is held in place on the respective door, for example, bypress-fitting the gasket between an outer rim 1115 and an inner rim 1117running in parallel (e.g., about 1¼ inches apart) along the top,proximal (hinged) side, and bottom edges of the door. A lip 1119 may beprovided along the inner distal side of either or both doors to hold adistal side portion of the gasket system in place (if present). Thegasket system can be made from an elastomeric rubber material, such as,but not limited to, a nitrile material with some oil resistance such asacrylonitrile-butadiene rubber, or other material known in the art to besuitable for forming a water-tight seal.

As shown in FIGS. 50-55, a sixth embodiment gasket system like the firstembodiment gasket system comprises a first gasket 710 on the first doorand a second gasket 720 on the second door. Gaskets 710, 720 are onepiece continuous gaskets extending around the inside perimeters of doors1110, 1120. Raised ridges 712, 722 or other textured surface may beprovided on the portions of gaskets 710, 720 that interface with jambsurface 1142, to facilitate or enhance the sealing engagement betweendoors 1110, 1120 and cabinet body 1140. First gasket 710, like gasket210, has a rounded depression 214 along its distal edge surface that iscomplementary with a corresponding rounded protrusion 724 on secondgasket 720, like gasket 220. In alternate embodiments, these positionsmay be reversed (protrusion on first gasket, depression on secondgasket) and/or complementary indentions/protrusions of other shapesand/or numbers may be used.

The gasket system shown in FIGS. 50-55 and described above is merelyexemplary; in other embodiments, other first and second gaskets, suchas, but not limited to, those in the second through fifth embodimentgasket systems shown with housing 100, may be used with split doorsubmersible housing 1000. Said gaskets may comprise variations in thetextures, mating features, dimensions, etc. of the surfaces between thegaskets, between a gasket and the opposite door, and/or between thegaskets and the cabinet body that can also facilitate sealing doors1110, 1120 against each other and against the cabinet body 1140 in awater-tight manner, without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent invention.

FIG. 56 shows plain views of the interior surfaces of the split doorswith the first embodiment gasket system, with the doors detached fromthe cabinet body. Exemplary dimensions (in inches) are marked thereon.Doors 110, 120 are each about 19½ inches wide and 55¼ inches tall. Thedistance between outer rim 115 and inner rim 117 (where the gasket isinstalled) is about 1¼ inches. Lip 119 is about 1⅛ inches wide. Theportions of the first gasket 210 and the second gasket 220 thatinterface with jamb surface 142 are shaded. Sectional views are shownbelow each door, taken along the broken lines marked CL.

FIG. 57 shows sectional views along A-A through F-F as marked in FIG.56. Exemplary dimensions (in inches) are marked thereon. Gaskets 210,220 have substantially square cross-sections (e.g., about 1¼ inchessquare). In the exemplary embodiments shown, the material may be, forexample, peroxide cured nitrile per ASTM D2000, with first gasket 210weighing about 8.5 pounds, and second gasket 220 weighing about 9.5pounds.

While there have been shown and described fundamental novel features ofthe invention as applied to the preferred and exemplary embodimentsthereof, it will be understood that omissions and substitutions andchanges in the form and details of the disclosed invention may be madeby those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of theinvention. Moreover, as is readily apparent, numerous modifications andchanges may readily occur to those skilled in the art. For example, anyfeature(s) in one or more embodiments may be applicable and combinedwith one or more other embodiments. Hence, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed and, accordingly, all suitable modification equivalents may beresorted to falling within the scope of the invention as claimed. It isthe intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scopeof the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A split door submersible housing for an electrical distribution system, the housing comprising: a cabinet body defining an interior region configured to accept a component of the electrical distribution system, the cabinet body including at least one opening configured to accept an electrode sealed with and electrically isolated from the cabinet body and extending through the cabinet body to establish electrical connection between a corresponding terminal of the component and an electrical distribution network; a first door and a second door positioned side by side to cover an open front portion of the cabinet body, at least one of the first door and the second door pivotably and electrically connected to a side of the cabinet body; and a gasket system comprising a first gasket on the first door and a second gasket on the second door, wherein the gasket system is configured to seal the first door and the second door against each other and against a corresponding surface on the cabinet body, when the first and second doors are in a closed position, wherein when the first and second doors are in the closed position, the housing is capable of preventing ingress of water into the interior region when submersed.
 2. The housing of claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism to lock the first and second doors in the closed position.
 3. The housing of claim 2, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a plurality of quick-release latching mechanisms disposed between the first door and the cabinet body and disposed between the second door and the cabinet body.
 4. The housing of claim 3, wherein the locking mechanism comprises at least one quick-release latching mechanism disposed between the first door and the second door.
 5. The housing of claim 1, wherein an exterior surface of the cabinet body comprises a plurality of radiating fins.
 6. The housing of claim 5, wherein an interior surface of the cabinet body comprises a plurality of fins thermally coupled to the radiating fins.
 7. The housing of claim 1, wherein the component is a network protector.
 8. The housing of claim 7, wherein the cabinet body includes at least three openings configured to accept at least three electrodes sealed with and electrically isolated from both the cabinet body and each other and extending through the cabinet body to establish electrical connections between corresponding terminals of the network protector and the electrical distribution network.
 9. The housing of claim 1, wherein when the first and second doors are in the closed position, the housing is capable of preventing ingress of water into the interior region at a water depth of twenty-five feet.
 10. The housing of claim 1, wherein the first door and the second door are pivotably and electrically connected to opposite sides of the cabinet body.
 11. The housing of claim 1, wherein the first door is pivotably and electrically connected to a side of the cabinet body and the second door is pivotably and electrically connected to the first door.
 12. The housing of claim 1, wherein the first gasket and the second gasket are made from a nitrile rubber.
 13. The housing of claim 1, wherein the first gasket and the second gasket include raised ridges on the portions that seal against the cabinet body.
 14. The housing of claim 1, wherein the first gasket and the second gasket extend around the perimeter of the first and second doors and have conformal shapes on their distal edge surfaces.
 15. The housing of claim 1, wherein the first gasket and the second gasket extend around the perimeter of the first and second doors and have substantially flat distal edge surfaces.
 16. The housing of claim 1, wherein the first gasket and the second gasket extend around the perimeter of the first and second doors and have rounded distal edge surfaces with extended upper and lower ends having substantially flat surfaces.
 17. The housing of claim 1, wherein the first gasket extends around the perimeter of the first door and has a substantially flat distal edge surface, and the second gasket is a three-sided gasket extending around the top, proximal side, and bottom of the second door and having indented upper and lower distal edges having substantially flat surfaces.
 18. The housing of claim 1, wherein the first gasket extends around the perimeter of the first door and has a rounded distal edge surface with extended upper and lower ends having substantially flat surfaces, and the second gasket is a three-sided gasket extending around the top, proximal side, and bottom of the second door and having indented upper and lower distal edges having substantially flat surfaces.
 19. The housing of claim 1, wherein a top exterior surface of the cabinet body comprises a plurality of steel stiffeners.
 20. The housing of claim 1, wherein exterior and/or interior surfaces of the first and second doors comprise a plurality of steel stiffeners.
 21. The housing of claim 1, wherein the first door includes a tab to guide the first door and the second door together into the closed position.
 22. A gasket system configured for use with a split door submersible housing for an electrical distribution system, the housing comprising a cabinet body defining an interior region configured to accept a component of the electrical distribution system, and a first door and a second door positioned side by side to cover an open front portion of the cabinet body, the gasket system comprising: a first gasket configured to fit on the first door; and a second gasket configured to fit on the second door, wherein the gasket system is configured to seal the first door and the second door against each other and against a corresponding surface on the cabinet body, when the first and second doors are in a closed position, and wherein when the first and second doors with the first and second gaskets positioned thereon are in the closed position, the housing is capable of preventing ingress of water into the interior region when submersed.
 23. The gasket system of claim 22, wherein the first gasket and the second gasket are made from a nitrile rubber.
 24. The gasket system of claim 22, wherein the first gasket and the second gasket include raised ridges on the portions that seal against the cabinet body.
 25. The gasket system of claim 22, wherein the first gasket and the second gasket extend around the perimeter of the first and second doors and have conformal shapes on their distal edge surfaces.
 26. The gasket system of claim 22, wherein the first gasket and the second gasket extend around the perimeter of the first and second doors and have substantially flat distal edge surfaces.
 27. The gasket system of claim 22, wherein the first gasket and the second gasket extend around the perimeter of the first and second doors and have rounded distal edge surfaces with extended upper and lower ends having substantially flat surfaces.
 28. The gasket system of claim 22, wherein the first gasket extends around the perimeter of the first door and has a substantially flat distal edge surface, and the second gasket is a three-sided gasket extending around the top, proximal side, and bottom of the second door and having indented upper and lower distal edges having substantially flat surfaces.
 29. The gasket system of claim 22, wherein the first gasket extends around the perimeter of the first door and has a rounded distal edge surface with extended upper and lower ends having substantially flat surfaces, and the second gasket is a three-sided gasket extending around the top, proximal side, and bottom of the second door and having indented upper and lower distal edges having substantially flat surfaces.
 30. The gasket system of claim 22, wherein when the first and second doors with the first and second gaskets positioned thereon are in the closed position, the housing is capable of preventing ingress of water into the interior region at a water depth of twenty-five feet. 